Product Strategy and Operations Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Strategy and Operations Manager

Company: Aspora

Location: India

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Operations / Revenue Operations / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-19

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Own the end-to-end operational health of a specific product line within Aspora's financial operating system, driving critical business metrics.

• Define, instrument, and drive down product-surface defects, acting as the primary owner of operational issues and their resolution.

• Manage and optimize partner performance through rigorous operating cadences, influencing SLAs, cost of funds, take-rate, FX spread, fees, and service quality.

• Design and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operating models for internal teams, partners, support, compliance, and product functions.

• Lead the development and deployment of production automation workflows, including LLM-based solutions and orchestration tools, to significantly reduce manual operational load.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a critical component of Aspora's GTM and Revenue Operations, focusing on the operational backbone of specific product lines (Remittance, Banking, Gold, Equities). It requires a hands-on approach to problem-solving, data analysis, and process improvement, rather than a purely advisory capacity. The emphasis on "owning the number" and driving operational metrics directly links this role to revenue generation and customer satisfaction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define product-surface defects, create dashboards/queries to track them, decompose underlying metrics, and drive reduction initiatives across the entire product surface.

• Conduct weekly partner operating cadences, escalating issues with data-backed evidence to influence Service Level Agreements (SLAs), cost of funds, take-rate, FX spread, fees, routing, and overall service quality.

• Design and document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for partner onboarding, steady-state operations, and workflows for internal teams including support, compliance, and finance.

• Develop and deploy production automation workflows using tools like n8n, Zapier, SQL-triggered alerts, and internal tools to minimize manual operational effort, with a focus on measurable impact and robust fallback mechanisms.

• Leverage data fluency by writing SQL queries, inspecting event/transaction-level data, and building dashboards in tools such as Metabase, Hex, or Sigma to monitor and analyze operational performance.

• Contribute to pod operating rhythms by presenting key metrics, providing data-driven diagnoses, and proposing actionable plans, making explicit trade-offs when multiple issues require attention.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep dive into the transactional and event-level data of specific financial products. This requires a strong analytical foundation and the ability to translate complex data into actionable operational improvements. The emphasis on "shipping production workflows" and "real users or internal teams depended on" indicates a need for robust engineering and operational rigor in automation solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline. An advanced degree or relevant certifications are a plus.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in operations, product operations, or a related role with a focus on driving operational metrics and managing external partnerships within the fintech or financial services industry.

Required Skills:

• SQL Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to write complex SQL queries for data extraction, analysis, and reporting, essential for understanding transaction-level data.

• Operational Metric Ownership: Proven experience owning and improving key operational metrics, not just supporting them, with a clear understanding of defect drivers and performance levers.

• External Partner Management: Experience working effectively with external partners, including banks, fintech infrastructure providers, custodians, brokers, or other regulated operating partners.

• Automation Development: Proven track record of shipping production-ready automation workflows that reduce manual load and improve efficiency, with an understanding of system integration and exception handling.

• Data Analysis & Dashboarding: Ability to analyze event or transaction-level data and create insightful dashboards using tools like Metabase, Hex, Sigma, or similar BI platforms.

• Process Design & SOP Creation: Skill in designing, documenting, and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and efficient operating models.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with workflow orchestration tools such as n8n or Zapier.

• Familiarity with LLM workflows and their practical application in operational contexts.

• Understanding of regulatory complexities within financial services (e.g., AML regimes, custody, settlement).

• Experience in a high-growth, fast-paced startup environment.

• Strong communication and influence skills to effectively manage partner relationships and internal stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical data skills (SQL, dashboarding) and operational execution (metric ownership, partner management, automation). The "preferred skills" suggest a forward-thinking approach to operations, embracing newer technologies like LLMs for efficiency gains. The experience level indicates a need for individuals who can operate with a degree of autonomy and drive initiatives from conception to completion.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies on Operational Metric Improvement: Detailed examples demonstrating how you identified, analyzed, and improved a critical operational metric (e.g., defect rate, SLA adherence, cost of funds). Quantify the impact with clear metrics and ROI.

• Automation Project Showcase: Showcase at least one significant automation project you led from concept to production, detailing the problem, the solution implemented (tools, logic), the manual effort saved, and the measurable outcomes.

• Partner Operations Management Examples: Evidence of managing relationships with external partners, including examples of how you influenced partner performance or SLAs through structured operating cadences and data-driven escalations.

• Process Design Documentation: Samples of SOPs or operating models you've designed, illustrating your ability to create clear, scalable, and efficient workflows for cross-functional teams and partners.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Demonstrate your ability to map out existing processes, identify bottlenecks, and design optimized workflows that incorporate automation and efficiency improvements.

• Implementation and Automation Methods: Provide examples of how you've implemented new processes or automated existing ones, detailing the technologies used, the challenges overcome, and the validation process.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: Show how you establish KPIs, instrument systems for data collection, and perform ongoing analysis to track process performance, identify deviations, and drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to present concrete examples of their work, particularly focusing on situations where they took direct ownership of an operational problem and drove measurable improvements. The emphasis on "shipping production workflows" and "real impact" means that case studies should highlight completed projects with demonstrable results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given Aspora operates across India, the UK, UAE, EU, and US, and the role is based in India, a competitive salary range for a mid-level Product Strategy and Operations Manager with 2-5 years of experience in a tech/fintech firm in India would typically fall between ₹12,00,000 to ₹25,00,000 per annum. This range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for skilled operations professionals in major Indian tech hubs, considering the company's funding and growth stage.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: A salary package designed to attract top talent in the operations and product strategy field.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes health insurance, paid time off, and other standard benefits essential for employee well-being.

• ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plan): Opportunity to gain equity in Aspora, aligning personal success with the company's long-term growth and vision.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, aligned with business needs. However, given the nature of operational roles in a global fintech company, there may be an expectation for flexibility to address critical issues or partner interactions across different time zones, particularly when dealing with international operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical compensation for mid-level operations roles in India's technology and fintech sectors, considering the company's venture capital backing and international presence. Benefits like ESOPs are a strong indicator of Aspora's commitment to employee long-term engagement and value creation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech / Global Banking Services. Aspora operates within the rapidly evolving fintech landscape, aiming to revolutionize global banking with a borderless financial operating system. This industry context implies a need for agility, innovation, and strict adherence to regulatory frameworks.

Company Size: 150+ employees. This suggests a company that has moved beyond the startup phase and is scaling rapidly, offering opportunities for significant impact and growth while maintaining a relatively connected team environment.

Founded: 2022. Aspora is a relatively young company, driven by a mission to redefine global banking. This implies a culture of innovation, speed, and a willingness to challenge established norms.

Team Structure:

• Pod-based Structure: The company is hiring one Product Strategy and Operations Manager per product line (Remittance, Banking, Gold, Equities), suggesting a decentralized, product-centric operational structure.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Each manager will likely work closely with dedicated Product, Engineering, and Compliance teams within their specific product "pod."

• Ownership and Accountability: The emphasis is on "extreme ownership" and "customer impact," indicating a culture where individuals are empowered to make decisions and are held accountable for outcomes.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong reliance on data analysis, SQL, and dashboarding to define issues, track performance, and influence decisions.

• Process Optimization: Continuous focus on improving operational efficiency through SOP design and automation.

• Agile Development & Operations: The culture celebrates "builders who question assumptions, ship fast," suggesting an agile approach to both product development and operational problem-solving.

Company Website: http://www.aspora.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Aspora's culture is characterized by a strong emphasis on ownership, speed, and data-driven decision-making, particularly within specialized product pods. This environment is ideal for operations professionals who thrive on tackling complex, novel problems and driving tangible results.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level to senior individual contributor, responsible for end-to-end operational oversight of a significant product line. It requires a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a clear path towards deeper product ownership or specialization in operational excellence.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, each Product Strategy and Operations Manager likely reports into a Product Lead or Head of Operations for their respective product area or the entire operations function. They will collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and compliance officers.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on revenue and business success. By owning operational health, improving partner performance, and reducing defects, this role directly influences customer experience, transaction success rates, cost efficiencies, and ultimately, the profitability of each product line.

Growth Opportunities:

• Deep Product Specialization: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in the operations of a specific financial product line (Remittance, Banking, Gold, or Equities).

• Automation Leadership: Potential to lead and scale automation initiatives across multiple product lines as the company grows.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Develop strong relationships and influence across Product, Engineering, and Compliance, potentially leading to broader operational strategy roles.

• Fintech Operations Expertise: Gain invaluable experience in the complex and rapidly evolving world of global fintech operations, a highly sought-after skill set.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers substantial growth potential for individuals who excel in driving operational improvements within a dynamic fintech environment. The "own the number" mandate provides a clear path for career progression based on demonstrable impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. Aspora emphasizes in-person collaboration and has a physical presence in India.

Office Location(s): India. Specific city not mentioned, but likely a major tech hub.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Pods: The work environment is structured around product pods, fostering close collaboration with dedicated product and engineering teams.

• Tools and Technology: Access to a modern tech stack including SQL databases, BI tools (Metabase, Hex, Sigma), and workflow automation platforms (n8n, Zapier).

• Operational Focus: The environment encourages hands-on problem-solving, direct interaction with partners, and a focus on tangible operational outcomes.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is 40 hours. However, the nature of global financial operations may require flexibility to manage critical issues or partner communications across different time zones, especially concerning international remittance corridors or market hours for equities and gold trading.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for direct, in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for complex problem-solving and rapid iteration within product pods. The work environment is designed to support deep operational focus and data-driven execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application and resume focusing on relevant operational experience, SQL proficiency, and partnership management.

• Technical/Data Assessment: A practical exercise or interview focusing on SQL skills, data analysis, and problem-solving related to operational metrics or process design.

• Case Study Presentation: Candidates will likely present a case study from their portfolio demonstrating ownership of an operational metric, automation project, or partner management initiative. This will assess their ability to articulate problems, solutions, and impact.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion about past experiences, handling of challenges, collaboration style, and alignment with Aspora's values (extreme ownership, radical candor).

• Hiring Manager/Pod Lead Interview: Final discussion to assess strategic thinking, understanding of the product line, and overall fit for the role and team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Everything: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the actions taken, and the quantifiable results (e.g., % reduction in defects, $ saved, SLA improvement).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Be ready to walk through dashboards, SQL queries, or automation workflows you've built.

• Focus on Ownership: Highlight instances where you took full responsibility for an operational outcome, even when facing ambiguity or external dependencies.

• Demonstrate Process Thinking: Showcase your ability to design, document, and implement processes, including SOPs and operating models for partners.

• Tailor to Product Line: If possible, subtly tailor your examples to the specific product line you are applying for (Remittance, Banking, Gold, or Equities), showing an understanding of its unique operational challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• SQL Practice: Brush up on advanced SQL queries, window functions, and data aggregation techniques.

• Process Mapping: Be ready to diagram a process flow for a common fintech operation and identify potential improvements.

• Automation Scenarios: Think through how you would automate a repetitive manual task in a financial operations context.

• Partner Escalation Practice: Prepare to discuss how you would approach a partner who is failing to meet SLAs, using data to drive the conversation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to rigorously assess both technical capabilities and operational execution. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly demonstrates ownership, data fluency, and measurable impact will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• SQL: Essential for data extraction, analysis, and operational monitoring. Candidates are expected to be highly proficient.

• BI/Dashboarding Tools: Metabase, Hex, Sigma, or similar platforms for visualizing operational data, tracking metrics, and creating performance dashboards.

• Workflow Automation: n8n, Zapier, or custom internal tools for orchestrating processes and reducing manual load.

• LLM Workflows: Experience or willingness to develop and deploy AI-driven automation solutions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Event/Transaction Data Analysis: Deep dive into granular data to understand operational issues.

• Performance Tracking: Setting up and monitoring KPIs for product lines and partners.

• Dashboard Creation: Developing real-time or near-real-time dashboards for operational visibility.

CRM & Automation:

• Internal Tools: Development and utilization of internal tools for operational management and exception handling.

• Process Orchestration: Building automated workflows that connect different systems and processes.

• System Integration: Understanding how different components of the financial infrastructure connect and interact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in SQL and experience with BI/dashboarding tools are non-negotiable. Familiarity with automation platforms and a proactive approach to leveraging AI for operational efficiency will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Extreme Ownership: Taking full responsibility for outcomes, demonstrating initiative, and driving solutions proactively.

• Radical Candor: Providing and receiving honest, constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement and transparency.

• Customer Impact Obsession: A relentless focus on improving the customer experience and delivering tangible value through operational excellence.

• Builder Mentality: Encouraging innovation, questioning assumptions, and actively contributing to building elegant solutions for complex problems.

• Data-Driven Approach: Relying on data and evidence to diagnose issues, measure performance, and inform strategic decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Pod-Centric: Working closely within dedicated product pods, fostering tight-knit collaboration with product and engineering teams.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with Compliance, Support, and Finance to ensure seamless operational workflows.

• Data-Sharing and Transparency: Openly sharing data, insights, and operational performance with relevant stakeholders.

• Feedback Loops: Establishing mechanisms for continuous feedback from internal teams and external partners to drive iterative improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aspora's culture is built on a foundation of high performance, accountability, and a commitment to solving complex problems. Candidates who thrive in environments that value direct communication, data-informed decision-making, and proactive problem-solving will be a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Regulatory Complexity: Operating within multiple jurisdictions with diverse AML regimes and financial regulations requires meticulous attention to detail and continuous learning.

• Managing Diverse Partner Ecosystems: Each product line (Remittance, Banking, Gold, Equities) involves unique sets of external partners (payout banks, BaaS providers, custodians, brokers) with varying operational capabilities and SLAs.

• Scaling Automation: Implementing and maintaining robust automation workflows across a growing number of corridors and product surfaces presents a significant technical and operational challenge.

• Defining and Measuring Novel Metrics: Aspora is building a novel financial operating system, which may require defining and instrumenting new operational metrics and defect categories.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Fintech Operations Expertise: Gaining unparalleled experience in the operational intricacies of global remittance, banking, digital assets, and securities.

• Advanced Automation & AI: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge automation tools and LLMs to solve real-world operational challenges at scale.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Enhancing skills in product strategy, partner management, compliance, and data analytics through cross-functional collaboration.

• Impactful Role in a Growth Company: Contributing significantly to the success of a venture-backed fintech aiming to redefine global finance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but also offer immense opportunities for professional growth. Aspora is a place where individuals can tackle complex, novel problems and develop highly specialized skills in global fintech operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned an operational metric that was underperforming. How did you diagnose the issue, what steps did you take, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on ownership, data analysis, and measurable results).

• "How would you approach optimizing the operational health of our remittance product line, considering factors like payout banks, AML regimes, and FX spreads?" (Assess understanding of product-specific challenges and strategic thinking).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What does 'extreme ownership' mean to you in an operations context?" (Assess alignment with company values).

• "How do you handle situations where you need to push back on a partner or internal team with data and evidence?" (Evaluate ability to influence and maintain radical candor).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: Use a clear STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework to present your experiences.

• Highlight Your Role: Emphasize your direct contributions and ownership, especially in driving metrics and implementing solutions.

• Visualize Data: Use charts, graphs, or screenshots of dashboards to visually represent your impact and the data you worked with.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, the tools you used, and the ‘why’ behind your decisions.

• Connect to Aspora's Mission: Frame your experiences in the context of Aspora's goals of building a borderless financial operating system.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just what they did, but how they did it, with a strong emphasis on data, process, and measurable outcomes. The interview process will likely involve scenario-based questions and a deep dive into their portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Strategy and Operations Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight your experience with SQL, operational metric ownership, external partner management, and automation projects. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies showcasing your ability to drive operational improvements, implement automation, and manage partner performance. Be ready to present these with clear metrics and impact.

• Research Aspora: Understand their mission, product lines (Remittance, Banking, Gold, Equities), and investor base. Familiarize yourself with the fintech landscape and global banking challenges.

• Practice Your SQL and Data Analysis: Be ready for a technical assessment that tests your ability to extract insights from data and solve operational problems.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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